Self-Management Interventions and Technologies to Sustain Health and Optimize Functional Capabilities (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 164

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 164

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Self-Management Interventions and Technologies to Sustain Health and Optimize Functional Capabilities (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PA-18-164) supports early-stage, exploratory clinical research that tests or develops self-management approaches and related technologies aimed at helping people preserve and make the most of the functional abilities they currently have. The core idea is not simply treating disease in the traditional sense, but strengthening a person's capacity to function day to day, maintain independence where possible, and better navigate their physical and social environments. The FOA emphasizes improving health and quality of life for individuals who need assistance due to chronic conditions or disabilities, with a practical focus on interventions that can be adapted to a person's current abilities, preferences, and goals.

The research scope centers on maintenance and restorative care strategies that are tailored to individuals and designed to enhance or sustain physical, sensory, motor, and mental capabilities over time. This includes work intended to prevent disability, delay progression of functional decline, or help people adapt in ways that preserve participation in daily life. The announcement highlights particular interest in projects that help maintain functional capabilities in the context of conditions such as cardiac insufficiency and respiratory insufficiency, movement limitations associated with arthritis, chronic back pain, stroke-related impairments, and other physical or cognitive disabilities. In other words, the NIH is looking for studies that move beyond symptom control to address real-world functioning: mobility, endurance, self-care, cognition, and the practical skills and supports people use to manage their health outside of clinical settings.

Because this is an R21 mechanism, the opportunity is aimed at exploratory and developmental projects, typically used to generate preliminary data, test feasibility, refine intervention components, or evaluate promising new tools and strategies that could later be scaled or tested in larger trials. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation means applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the aims, but they are not required to do so; non-trial clinical research that still involves humans and assesses outcomes relevant to functioning and self-management can also be appropriate. The award ceiling listed is $200,000, reflecting the smaller, proof-of-concept nature of R21 grants, which are designed to support innovative work that may be higher risk but potentially high impact.

Eligible applicants are broad and include many types of organizations across government, academia, nonprofit, and industry. Eligible entities include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility signals an interest in solutions that may come from diverse settings, including community-based and technology-focused groups, as long as the proposed research is rigorous and aligned with the functional maintenance and self-management goals.

In terms of administrative details, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses the grant funding instrument. The activity categories are education and health, and the CFDA numbers associated with the opportunity are 93.173 and 93.361. The original closing date shown in the source information is 2020-01-07, and the creation date is 2017-11-07. While deadlines may have changed since the original posting, the summary purpose remains clear: to stimulate practical, person-centered clinical research on self-management interventions and enabling technologies that help individuals sustain health, preserve function, and optimize daily capabilities in the face of chronic conditions and disability.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Self-Management Interventions and Technologies to Sustain Health and Optimize Functional Capabilities (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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